People and events of interest to the Salesian Family of the Eastern U.S., the blogger's homilies, and some of his apostolic and personal doings.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

POTUS Cites Don Bosco

POTUS Cites Don Bosco

This story comes from ANS, the Salesian news agency in Rome.

During an address to Brazilian businessmen on Saturday, March 19, the President of the United States [POTUS], Barack Obama, visiting Brazil on March 19 and 20 to extend and improve political and commercial links between the two countries, especially with regard to oil, mentioned Don Bosco’s dream about the city of Brasilia. Toward the end of his talk, which lasted about 20 minutes, the President said, “Brasilia is a young city – it will turn 51 next month. But it began as a dream more than a century ago. In 1883, Dom Bosco, Brasilia’s patron saint, had a vision that one day, a capital city of a great nation, would be built between the 15th and 20th parallels. It would be a model for the future and ensure that opportunity was the birthright of every Brazilian.”

“And today, this city and this country are indeed a model for the future, showing the world that democracy is still the best partner of human progress. As friends and neighbors who have lived the same story, we are eager to be a part of your future, and fulfill our American dream together.”

Finally, the dream of Don Bosco that is reported to carry the prediction of the founding of Brasilia (it's hardly a clear prediction), called "Journey Through South America," may be found in the Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco, vol. 16, pp. 303-15.

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About Me

Member of Salesians of Don Bosco since 1966. As of July 2016, parish priest in Champaign, Ill., and director of the SDB community there. Priest since 1978. Teaching and administrative experience in Boston, metro N.Y.C. area, New Orleans, and Tampa; since 1986 stationed mainly at SDB provincial HQ as editor, general manager of book publishing, and PR officer. Boy Scout chaplain since 1995.